While conservatives seem to be abandoning former President Donald Trump ahead of his potential 2024 bid House Republican Conference Chair Elise Stefanik (R-Ny.) is doubling down on the former president.
In a statement to The New York Times, Rep. Stefanik said that she's “proud” to endorse the former President despite the fact he hasn't officially announced his candidacy yet.
“I am proud to endorse Donald Trump for president in 2024,” Stefanik said. “It is time for Republicans to unite around the most popular Republican in America who has a proven track record of conservative governance.”
The No. 3 Republican lawmaker's endorsement comes at a time of uncertainty surrounding Trump as he faces blame for Republicans' lackluster midterm results. This year's midterms were expected to be a Republican blow-out but instead, the GOP has experienced a weaker-than-expected performance.
As of Friday, neither political party has claimed an official majority in the House of Representatives or the Senate.
In a separate statement to Breitbart News, Rep. Stefanik explained why she made her endorsement so early.
“Republican voters determine who is the leader of the Republican Party and it's very clear President Trump is the leader of the Republican party. What the media fails to report is that we just won the midterms and flipped the House,” Stefanik in an exclusive statement to Breitbart News.
“I am proud to endorse Donald J. Trump for President in 2024. I fully support him running again,” she continued. “Under his presidency, America was strong at home and abroad, our economy was red hot, our border was secure, our neighborhoods were safe, our law enforcement was respected, and our enemies feared us,” Stefanik said. “We cannot afford another four years of Joe Biden's failed policies that have led to the inflation crisis, border crisis, and crime crisis. It is time for Republicans to unite around the most popular Republican in America, who has a proven track record of conservative governance. Poll after poll shows that President Trump would defeat any Republican challenger by massive margins, and would beat Joe Biden if the election were held today. President Trump has always put America First, and I look forward to supporting him so we can save America.”
On Election day eve, Trump teased his plans to make a “big announcement” on Nov. 15th with many supporters believing he plans to officially kick off his 2024 presidential campaign.
Trump confirmed that he will be holding a “special announcement” at Mar-a-Lago on Nov. 15 in a press release on Thursday night. (RELATED: Trump Committed to Moving Ahead With ‘Very Big Announcement)
However, Republicans' less-than-stellar midterm outcome has spurred infighting among the party with many prominent Republicans pointing the finger at Trump. Since Tuesday, multiple Republicans have publicly announced they do not intend to support Trump's next presidential bid and have urged him to reconsider.
Former House Speaker for the GOP, Newt Gingrich, stated on Wednesday that he believes Trump might be reconsidering his plans for 2024.
“I mean, just in my own emails today, [with] the number of people who want somebody other than Trump who have decided, literally overnight, that person is going to be DeSantis, he's going to find it almost impossible to avoid running,” Gingrich told Just the News. “I think Trump's got to look at the results and be troubled.”
Retiring Pennsylvania Senator Pat Toomey also blamed Trump for this year's midterm results while speaking to CNN.
“President Trump had to insert himself and that changed the nature of the race and that created just too much of an obstacle,” Toomey said on CNN's “Erin Burnett OutFront.”
“And by the way, it's not just Pennsylvania. You look all over the country, there's a very high correlation between MAGA candidates and big losses, or at least dramatically underperforming,” he added, referring to Trump's slogan: Make America Great Again.
Virginia Lt. Governor Winsome Sears, who has publicly supported Trump in the past also said that Republicans must move on from Trump after the midterms. (RELATED: Georgia Senate Race Heads to Runoff – Conservatives Want Trump to Stay Away)
“A true leader understands when they have become a liability,” Sears said. “A true leader understands that it's time to step off the stage, and the voters have given us that very clear message.”
Former Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.), who was known to clash with Trump on occasion, said the former president was a “drag” for Republican candidates across the country.
“I think Trump's kind of a drag on our ticket. I think Donald Trump gives us problems politically,” he said during an interview in Janesville, Wis., his hometown.
“We lost the House, the Senate and the White House in two years when Trump was on the ballot, or in office,” he said. “I think we just have some Trump hangover. I think he's a drag on our office, on our races.”
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The infighting started in 2016 by the rino establishment, and was the cause of the less than stellar performance in 2022. Pulling funds from critical candidates, and making detrimental statements about candidates. They employed all the dem establishment tactics, as they seem to be one team. Rinos dont want to fix DC they just want to control it, and not by the will of the people, but by the establishment agenda. That is why they fought Trump every step of the way since 2016. Pence was force fed because they wanted Trump eliminated so he could replace him when impeached. Seem like an establishment bipartisan plan to you?
Rino or dem same thing.
Love to see how many will endorse Trump vs Desantis
I don’t have any interest in her endorsement. I believe she voted for the national gay marriage bill, which disqualifies her as a conservative.